Adelaide, Feb 14 (IANS): Internet giant Google marked the beginning of the cricket World Cup with a new colourful doodle on its homepage.

Doodle is intended to celebrate holidays, events, achievements and people.

The current doodle was unveiled on the eve of the quadrennial event which features an umpire, a bowler, two batsmen, a fielder and a wicketkeeper.

Valentine’s Day may be of prime importance around the world - but to the cricket-loving nations Feb 14 marked the start of the World Cup.

Thus, Google has changed only its search pages in the United Kingdom, South Africa, Australia, India and New Zealand, while the rest of the world will see a Valentine’s Day doodle showing how technology connects us together.

Fourteen teams are competing for the World Cup, including first-timers Afghanistan. The final of the mega event will be played March 29 in Melbourne.

A total of 49 matches will be played between February 14 and March 29.